( dpa ) - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average nosedived more than 3 per cent Monday as investors remained skeptical over US President George W Bush's stimulus package and shed a wide variety of issues.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 466.01 points, or 3.36 per cent, to 13,395.28.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also dropped 39.8 points, or 2.97 per cent, to 1,301.70.
The Tokyo players remained uncertain that Bush's stimulus package would be enough to recover the US economy following Wall Street's falls.
The US president on Friday called for a package of tax relief and other measures for individuals and incentives for businesses worth up to 150 billion dollars.
On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 106.89-92 yen, down from Friday's 5 pm quote of 107.22-25 yen.
The euro was quoted at 1.4593-98 dollars, down from Friday's 5 pm quote of 1.4633-36 dollars, and at 156.00-05 yen, down from 156.93-97 yen.